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MY FIRST TIME TO TEE OFF AT ST.ANDREWS IS MY MOST MEMORABLE TIME ON A GOLF COURSE. I WAS SO EXCITED I ACTUALLY TEARED UP. A COUPLE OF SPECTATORS SAW MY EXCITEMENT AND TOOK MY PICTURE, CALLED ME OVER AFTER I HAD TEED OFF AND GOT MY ADDRESS AND MAILED ME THE PICTURE. I STILL HAVE IT.

This one is easy for me. It was just after our  16th Anniversary and the company that I was working for had their annual outing and we played the course at beautiful Medinah. I hadn't been playing hardly at all at the time and I birdied holes 2 & 3 much to my own and everyone elses surprise. That was it for the day, and the rest of the round looked like someone forgot all about how to play this game we love. I ended up with a 101 and a lot of teasing by the guys, but what a great time I had just with that accomplishment. Oh, and I ended up low man on the totem pole and had to buy drinks for our foursome and they were not cheap at that time either.

Mine would have to be a week ago when I played Deere Run in Silvis, IL.  I'm a scratch golfer, but rarely have back to back birdies.  I had three birdies in a row to start my back nine and shot 79. 

One of my most memorable rounds.  Also done in the old FJ Sports in Rory Green.

 

tchristn

The most memorable walk for me was late one day in northern Virginia at a local public course.  I had brought my wife with me so she could see the course I was playing most frequently and enjoy the late afternoon/evening with me.  Conditions were just wonderful--blue sky, light breeze, not too hot, fluffy clouds making picture-perfect scenes.  It seemed like every shot I hit was on target, long and strong.  Shots to the greens were snapping back and ending up relatively close to the hole, not something I was used to at the time.  I had an even par 71 that day, to this day my lowest round ever, and it was witnessed by the most special person in my life.

Just recently, this summer, my Mom and I visited a relative in the hospital which made me feel odd.  I'm not sure why it hit me that day because I walk around hospitals and other types of care facility for my job a few times a week-- never bothered me!

Walking is about 63% of my golf (or at least I like to believe it is), and usually, I have a pull cart because of my back.  I've been worried lately that I'll be walking lesser as time moves on (poor health conditions sux).  But after that visit at the hospital, I changed to a light bag and carried which I haven't done in many years.

I was a single, playing in between a fast 4some in 4 carts up front and two walkers behind (both in mid 70s- and, oh they're fast, too, what a booster they are).

Walking has always been the better part of my game than anything else, but that day, carrying and walking 18 was something I was very proud of my self for doing.  Never lost a ball that day and did not make that many mistakes, although improvement lights flashes around the greens.

While I don't think I'll be carrying more times than saddling on a pull/push cart, I was very impressed by my self the day I walked and carried last early August.

I would have to say my most memorable walk was three years ago at Sycuan's Willow Glen course. It was an early 6:30 am start, playing with three guys I did not know. It was a nice day and we were having a good time. Willow Glen is one of the few courses that end with a par three and I was fortunate enough to have my first hole in one! We finished about 10:30 and the bar was not open yet. The manager was so excited for me that she opened the bar early so we could celebrate. That was a good day!

One of my most memorable rounds was earlier this year back in May, and it was the first round I was able to play after my leg stress fracture injury. It was with my team at one of the courses we commonly practice, and I was very nervous because I did not know how I was going to play because I hadn't done anything but a little range work (with a boot) a few weeks earlier, and I was playing with our head coach. I ended up playing extremely well and it just seemed like everything was just working our for me that day.

IT WAS THE ONLY ROUND I EVER GOT TO PLAY WITH MY DAD.  AS A KID GROWING UP, MY DAD PLAYED A FAIR AMOUNT OF GOLF AND HE PLAYED RESPECTABLY TO A 14 HANDICAP.  I WAS TOO YOUNG TO HAVE EVER PLAYED WITH HIM AND BY THE TIME I HAD GROWN UP ENOUGH TO DO SO, HE HAD HUNG UP THE GAME AND GAVE ME HIS CLUBS TO USE.   I DID NOT EVER KNOW WHY HE QUIT PLAYING BUT I SUSPECT IT WAS HEALTH REASONS.  HE HAD VERY BAD ARTHRITIS IN HIS KNEES.

ONE SUMMER MY WIFE AND I TOOK MY DAD AND MOM TO WILLIAMSBURG, VA FOR A VACATION.  I TOOK MY CLUBS AND ANOTHER SET FOR MY DAD (WHICH HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT).  MY PLANS WERE FOR MY DAD TO COME WITH ME TO PLAY THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE GOLF CLUB. HE WOULD RIDE IN THE CART WHILE I PLAYED.

WHEN WE GOT TO THE CLUB I PULLED OUT TWO BAGS OF CLUBS AT THE CLUB DROP.  WE PARKED THE CAR AND WALKED TO THE CLUBHOUSE TOGETHER.  BEFORE I WENT IN TO PAY, I STOPPED AND ASKED MY DAD IF HE WOULD LIKE TO PLAY.  DAD SAID IT HAD BEEN OVER 20 YEARS SINCE HE HAD PLAYED AND HE DOUBTED IF HE COULD EVEN HIT THE BALL.

I TOLD DAD THAT I DIDN'T CARE HOW HE PLAYED BUT THAT I JUST WANTED TO PLAY GOLF WITH HIM AT LEAST ONCE.  (DAD WAS NOT IN GOOD HEALTH HAVING SUFFERED A STROKE A FEW YEARS EARLIER AND HE WAS NOW IN HIS EARLY 70'S).  hE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID:  "SON, I THINK I'D LOVE TO PLAY A ROUND WITH YOU."

SO OFF WE WENT, ON THE FIRST HOLE HE HIT THE BALL RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE ABOUT 130 YARDS.  HE SWUNG SMOOTH AS SILK JUST LIKE MY OLDER BROTHER SAID HE USED TO SWING.  WE PLAYED 18 HOLES TOGETHER (DAD DIDN'T PLAY ALL OF THEM) AND I GOT MY ROUND IN WITH MY DAD.  I TRUST MY DAD LOVED IT AS MUCH AS I DID.  IN MY MINDS EYE, I CAN STILL SEE HIM HITTING THE BALL AT THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE.

HE DIED IN MY ARMS 13 YEARS AGO.  OH............. HOW I LOVED MY DAD.

I have had many memorable rounds, with friends, my father in a father -son, with my son in a Father-son, the first time I played TPC Sawgrass... But I would have to go with the time I was taking care of a good customer and friend with his automotive needs. This would be his fourth purchase, and the most expensive. It just so happens he plays on the champions tour. He asked how my game was, I said not bad for a working guy, but I still hold a 6 index. He said he will pick me up at the store the next morning and we would go play a round and meet some new friends. Now I have had the pleasure of meeting several tour players, Rocco Mediate, Mark McCumber, Gabrial Jrbstead, Clark Borroghs(spelling), David Duval, Morris Hatalsky just to name a few which is real cool. The next morning I was picked up and we went for a 6 hour drive, I thought we were going to TPC or Pablo Creek, no we drove all the way to August Ga. Yes I had an afternoon tee time with my friend and two other members at Augusta National... I had goose bumps all over my body as we drove down Magnolia Ln. I was escorted to the range to loosen up, and out came the members in their Green Jackets. There were a few other players on the range some we good some were bad swings but it didn't really matter. Ten minutes later I hit a driver down #1 splitting the fairway impressing all, only to make a 6... By the end of the round and and the best 82 I ever shot, I couldn't stop talking on the way home the next day. This was a treat for taking care of my friend and his wife for the last 4 years. We are still friends today even though I'm no longer in the industry and he has move to NC. My wife and I still go to Savanna every year to the Legends event to follow him and give him support. I can tell you every club played to this day. I just wish I had the FJA stuff I have now to wear then!

Every Tuesday, my buddy Jim and I walk 9 holes.  We have been doing this for 4 years. Although no one round stands out, they are our walks in the park.  Just two guys walking down a fairway together enjoying the day in our FootJoys.

The most memorable walk I ever took on a golf course was the 1st time I played Bethpage Black.  I remember my tee shot off the elevated tee at #1.  There were quite a few people in the back watching and I promptly hit it in the rough on the left side (the furthest possible place from the green).  After recovering and making a bogey, I birdied #2 (Whoo Hoo!!!) and then got back to black numbers with a double on #3.  I could still tell you each shot I hit that day on all 18 - including the fairway bunker shot on the finishing hole (uphill to the green).  After finishing, I was so exhausted.  The course humbled this golfer, but like every great place, left me waiting for the next time I could tee it up in front of the sign on #1 that reads:

Hmmmm, which was MOST memorable. What round would that be?

If I had to select only one, it would be August 3rd, 2009. I was playing Hawkshead Golf Links on a Saturday afternoon with my Dad. On hole number six, 165 yard Par 3, I hit a 7 iron to the downhill green, which is surrounded by bunkers.

The pine was positioned in the front left, just below the ridge that cuts diagonally across the green. The ball, a Titleist Pro V1, hopped once and then rolled out, catching the break left. It rolled 7 feet and dropped into the cup for a hole in one.

Now a hole in one is memorable on any ocaission. What made this my MOST memorable is this. On May 30 I had scored my first ever career ace in 2009. So here I am, a mere 8 weeks removed from that date, with my Dad, and I nailed a second ace.

Even MORE memorable was this. My father, who layed golf for over 50 years, who caddied as a boy in suburban Chicago..... he had never seen a hole in one. His face, and his look of sheer joy was absolutely priceless. It's as if he had hit the shot and scored the ace. He was beyond happy and teared up at the feat. I was more emotional at HIS response than my ace if you can believe it.

Best moment ever..... 

Devin,

Makes me cry (almost) when I see these contests and that I'm not allowed to participate.

Good luck to everyone eligible!

OZ-Crocman

The most memorable walk I ever head on the golf course was the first and only round I played with my dad. It was in 1997, I just took lessons and it was required that I played 18 holes - my kind of homework! We played at Rancho Solano in Fairfield California. Weather was perfect - course was perfect.  Shortly after this round, I went off to college and shortly after that my dad had a stroke, which left him unable to play golf anymore.  I wish we could have played more rounds together, but at least we got that one in.  I take my girls all the time and I remind them that I only got to play one round with my dad - usually about the time they start to complain and want to go home.

Of all of the rounds of golf I've played, I have two experiences that are beyond compare. In my younger days, I found summertime life with my non-golf playing girlfriend was a whole lot easier if I got out onto the course at first light. I could play by myself, 18 holes in two and half hours, and be ready for whatever a full day of activities, whatever they might be. For me, there is nothing like the walk through the dew in solitude, communing with nature, watching ospreys fishing for breakfast and deer ambling along through the rough looking for wild blueberries. Very peaceful and fulfilling.

Fast forward to this summer  - I took my nine year old son out on the course for the first time. He is a typical kid, interest flitting from one idea and activity to another. While I want a buddy to play with, I have never forced the game upon him  - His interest in the game waxes and wanes but the constant is that he has a very good, innate sense of how to swing the golf club. he transfers weight really well and makes very nice contact with the ball.

It is 4 PM and the local muni allows kids to  play with an adult for free. I asked my son if he'd like to play and he surprised me with "yes"! Off we go, to play the back nine at the local course. We had a good time and reaching the 6th hole, he had a 150 yard shot to the green. I hit my ball onto the surface hole high and left by roughly 20 feet. For me, a very good shot. My son stepped up to his ball, swung nicely and hit a high arcing shot on a line with the flag that landed 10 yards shot and rolled to within 10 feet of the hole!  As we putted out, my son turned to me and said, " that was fun but can we go now?"  I chuckled inwardly, asked if he was sure he'd had enough, and when he nodded yes, began the walk back in to the clubhouse. I told him how great a shot had had hit on his approach to #6 and while he didn't say anything, I could see the turn of a smile and the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment he felt having hit a good golf shot.  

I hope this will lead to further golf adventures with my son, but more importantly, I hope experiencing the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of doing something well will continue to build his self confidence and a person. I will never forget that little smile even if he doesn't find the game as alluring and fun as I so passionately do!